The New Year has just ushered in the new Wolf Moon, the moon which was to the Celts a symbol of lean times before the beginning of spring. This blog has also suffered from lean times due to a myriad of reasons, but like the wolf, who is in reality a sociable and interactive creature, posts are now returning.
The 6th 'Mrs Darley' book is almost complete - 'Mrs Darley's Herbal', my little shop in Bewdley museum Worcestershire is due to re-open at the end of February, although the on-line version can always be  visited at www.arcanus.co.uk/shop.php and there are lots of workshops and talks available from February which are due to go onto the website next week.
May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a blessed 2014.

The Hare Moon

Today is rather magickal, for not only does it herald the new Hare Moon, but also a solar eclipse, albeit, it could not be seen from the UK.
The hare was a sacred animal to the Celts and was symbolic of fertility. They thought that as the earth was warming up during this lovely month, then so were human passions. Both sun and moon are in the sign of Taurus so what better time for celebrating earthy and sensual pleasures!
The photograph of Pan (who better to illustrate earthy pleasures?) was taken outside the Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle in Cornwall and is currently on loan to them. Well worth a visit if you're in that part of the world.
Meanwhile enjoy all that the Merry Month of May has to offer!
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The earth is just about to move through the Lyrids meteor shower over the next couple of days and we should be in for a treat providing the skies are clear.
This shower produces dust trails which last several seconds and viewing is best in the NE after midnight.
On Thursday this week we also have the full Seed Moon partially eclipsed as it rises around 8pm, but be quick as the shadow will only last about 12 minutes.
This is a time of exciting change, of rare opportunities, make the most of it!
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Spring skies

Everyone is waiting for the spring to arrive and with the dawning of April comes renewed hope that temperatures will slowly begin to rise. We do however need clear skies, (which often means lower night time temperatures) before we can see the spectacular heavenly sights which are on offer.
The new Seed Moon arrives in our skies on 11th at 10.35BST. Look out for the moon and Jupiter being close together on the 14th whilst on the 19th just before sunrise low on the horizon Uranus & Mercury are visible. On the 22nd we pass through the Lyrids meteor show, producing luminous trails of dust which can be seen for several seconds. Visible in the NE after midnight.
On the 25th the full moon rises at 20.11BST and will be partially eclipsed, but be quick as it will only remain eclipsed for about 12 minutes. At this point Saturn will be sitting just above the moon, but the best day to see Saturn fully illuminated is on the 28th.
What celestial gifts to look forward to! Read more 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

A Time of Balance

The first quarter of the Sap Moon is present in our skies this evening & with the arrival of the Spring Equinox tomorrow at 11.01, this is a time when we are reminded of the importance of balance in our lives. This isn't merely work v play, or indulgence v diet, but is one of shadow v light. We all possess a darker side to our true selves and yet the shadow is something which the majority of us like to keep hidden for fear of others not liking us and yet, it is one that we should all acknowledge even if only to ourselves, for, in the words of Mrs Darley:
'Everything upon this earth has an opposite, a shadow side. Everything of beauty has a thread of ugliness, everything that enchants has the power to possess and everything that shines also knows the dark.' (Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries)
Wishing you all Equinox Blessings

March Skies

This month heralds the coming of spring and although it is still cold, the days are lengthening, the birds are singing & the daffodils and crocus are lifting their heads to face the strengthening sun.
In the heavens we are able to see the stunning Saturn early in the morning in the South West and lovely Jupiter which is the brightest object in the sky after the moon and visible in the evening.
The new moon is on the 11th at 19.51 and the full moon is on the 27th at 9.27. Meanwhile we have the Spring Equinox & therefore the first day of spring to celebrate on the 20th at 11.01, the festival of the Saxon Goddess Eostre or Ostara on the 27th and the Christian festival of Easter on 31st.
What better excuses for chocolate do we need? May the March winds blow many blessings your way.
Read more 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'

New year skies

The sky is well worth a look this month.
Tonight and tomorrow night bring us the Quadrantids meteor shower - it's short and sharp as it only lasts for about an hour each night (3rd and 4th) and is best seen in the north east after midnight. It will however treat us to around 40 or so fast blue meteors.
The planets are a real treat as saturn can be seen in the south east around 3.30 in the morning  with a small telescope and the rings are actually visible (7th is best).
On the 10tn venus is a delight just before sun rise and by the 22nd jupiter will make good viewing low in the north west sky, when at least 4 of its 28 moons should be visible with a small telescope.
The new moon is on the 11th and the full on the 27.
For more information on the moon read 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

The November Heavens

The heavens offer us a real treat this month beginning with a total solar eclispe on the 13th, albeit, it will only be visible from Northern Australia & the South Pacific, but nevertheless the winds of change will be felt around the world, especially as it occurs in the sign of Scorpio, the sign of death, rebirth & dramatic change.
On the 14 the moon passes in front of Mercury between 9.30 & 10.12am, but will only be visible with a motorised telescope, due to it being daylight.
The 17 & 18th bring us the Leonids meteor shower, one of the best of the year with up to 40 meteors per hour.
The 28 produces a penumbral lunar eclipse as only the top half of the moon will be covered but it will be visible from the UK at 16.00 and will last just under an hour.
Here's to clear skies.

September Skies

This month is somewhat quieter across the heavens although Jupiter, Mars and Venus are all visible at certain points.
The planetary positions however promise sexual tension and jealousy before the new moon on the 16th, followed by a time of power, of driving things forward and of seizing the moment. For those who do take advantage of this exciting time, this could be a life changing.
Just before my Mum died, in a rare monment of clarity, she told me to 'take a risk' and never have those words been more appropriate than on the 22nd, when the autumn equinox coincides with the first quarter waxing moon. Be brave, take a chance and the results might just be priceless.
For more information on the Moon and Her effects or the turning of the seasopal wheel read 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries' & 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'.

The Oak Moon

Today (5th December) welcomes the new Oak Moon. For the Celts this moon heralded the end of their 13 moon lunar cycle and personified strength, stamina, life, death and rebirth. The oak was sacred to the Celtic Druids as many of their ceremonies were carried out beneath oak lined groves and it was also the sacred tree of Jupiter, Zeus, and Thor.

Often struck and split by lightning, it is actually thought to protect those who shelter beneath it from the same fate. To the ancient Greeks the rustling of the leaves were thought to be the voice of the Gods, whilst to the Irish, the oak was one of seven 'noble' trees, often referred to as 'Jove's tree'.

After the battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles 11 hid in the Boscobel oak tree when escaping from his parliamentarian enemies. In celebration of his restoration to the English throne, May 29th was known as 'Oak Apple Day' in honour of the tree that had saved his life. It became a public holiday for many years when everyone was expected to wear an oak leaf out of respect. Many pubs were subsequently named the 'Royal Oak' and still carry the name today.

April's planetary aspects

Many people have commented on the rather disruptive forces that seem to be spinning through their lives at the present time. Illness, breakdowns in communication, chaos all seem to feature to varying degrees and the time surrounding the equinoxes are always periods of flux before the energies settle for the new season. Perhaps the following will help make sense of what is happening.

Venus is in its own sign of Taurus where it is joinedby Mercury, both of which form a fiery square to Mars and Pluto engineering yet more change in the areas of money, resouces and the environment.

On the 8th Saturn moved back into Virgo and forms an exact opposition on the 27th, a day which may turn out to be extremely disruptive or rather innovative. Other days which may have similar elements are: 19th and 25th.

The new moon in Aries on the 14th pushes forward vibrant spring energy and those who are involved in the healing and creative art professions are well favoured. The full moon on the 28th forms a 'T' square with Mars, indicating a very dynamic period.

Highlight of the month is the 'Lyrids' meteor shower which is best seen on the 21st and 22nd and is expected to produce around 20 meteors per hour, although best viewing is after midnight.

As April moves forward may its fiery aspects drive you ever forward into the spring.

Full Moon celebration

Sunday 28th February 2010 heralds the time of the full moon, a time for action. The full moon is an auspicious time for bringing your immediate plans to fruition. Now is the time to go out on the date you planned and arranged during the first 14 days of the new moon, now is the time to write the letter, send the text or apply for the job. Seize the power of moonlight and take action to make your dreams a reality.

To the Celts this was known as the 'storm' or 'snow' moon. Although this was a time of great concern, for them, as they were still in the grips of winter and food supplies were often running low, they did acknowledge a stirring within the earth. This stirring they attempted to encourage with drumming and chanting in order to calm the storms and hasten the spring.

This full Moon is seated in the sign of Virgo and is an excellent time for seeking employment, begininning a new educational pursuit or reassessing your health and diet. It is auspicious for dealing with business matters,the law and carrying out healing rituals for the intestines, thoracic spine or nervous system.

Luna

I am the nectar

That sweetens your dreams,

I am the rainbow

That colours your tears,

I am the cloud

That carries the storm.

I am knowledge,

I am Goddess.

(From Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries)